Warp stop-motion for looms.



PATENTED JULY 7, 1903..

I I J. NORTHROP.

WARP STOP MOTION FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION IILBD JAN. 16. 1903.

H0 MODEL.

a UNITED A STATES Patented July 7, 1903.

PATENT OF ICE.

JONAS NORTHROP, OF I-IOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR 'lO ,DRAPER COMPANY, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPO- RATION OF MAINE.

WARP STOP-MOTION FOR LOOMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 732,885, dated July 7, 1903 Application filed January 16,1908. Serial No. 139,345- (No model.)

To (LZZ whom it may concern:

Beitknown that I, JoNAs NORTHROP, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Hopedale, county of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvementin Warp Stop-Motions for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to that type of warpstop-motion apparatus the operation whereof is governed by thin flat controlling-detectors held in inoperative position by normal warpthreads and having a limited longitudinal movement into operative position when released; and my invention pertains more particularly to such apparatus when used in conwhich stoppage of the loom is effected.

nection with a loom when the controlling detectors also serve as heddles. The shed formation in such apparatus causes very objectionable lateral I movement and swaying of the detectors, so that they sometimes fail to operate properly to effect loom-stoppage upon failure of a warp-thread, the inclined position of the detectors as they rise and descend with the harness-frame preventing the prompt movement of a released detector into operative position and also preventing their cooperation at such time with the feeler through In United States Patent No. 696,083, dated March 25, 1902, means are provided for preventing such swaying and displacement, said means consisting of a number of separators, which are detachably mounted on the detector-support, the separators dividing detectors of a bank orseries into relatively small groups and beingfixed as to their position upon the support. This construction was in practice a most decided improvement over anything previouslyknown; but there were two principal objections to it.- In the first place the separators were of such dimensions that they could not well be alternated with the detectors, but could only be interspersed between groups of detectors. In the second place, since these separators were fixed to the support, it was necessary to leave enough unoccupied space between each pair of separators as to permit the sidewise movement of the detectors in drawing in the warp, and this resulted in the detectors sometimes descending at an undesirable angle or being bunched or pressed together, which interfered with their properfunction as detectors. In my present invention I have completely overcome these objections and provided what I believe to be a perfect form of separator for th is type of detectors. The separators are not rigidly attached to the support, but are so mounted thereon as to be capable of sliding in either direction thereupon, and I. am thus enabled to move the separators and detectors together in drawing in the warpthreads. I can therefore substantially fill the space between the end stops on the supportwith detectors and separators. In fact, with the preferred form of my separator, which forms, as it were, a pocket for the detectors, I can practically fill up the entire space without binding the detectors and, if necessary, move the end stops when it is desired to draw in the warp-threads. By this construction I insure that the detectors shall move up and down in substantially vertical and parallel paths, and yet be capable of being readily moved to one side in drawing in the Warp-threads or for other necessary purposes. Furthermore, in the preferred form of my invention I have so shaped and 0011- structed the separators that they can be alternated with the detectors, while, on the one hand, they fill up substantially the entire space between the end stops, and yet, on the other hand, do not add too much weight to the support or bind the detectors. It will be readily perceived that there are great advantages in this novel construction and arrangement of the separators, and I claim the same broadly, as the specific features which I also claim may be varied in sundry particulars, While still preserving the essence of my invention.

The various novel features of my invention will be described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the following claims.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of I plied thereto.

the shed-forming mechanism of a loom with one embodiment of my present invention ap- Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View thereof on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, looking toward the left. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective detail of a detector and a separator of the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2', the support for the detectors being shown in dotted lines and with one of the stops or limiting devices for the end of the series of detectors shown in full lines. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail plan view of several detectors and their separators on the detector-support, showing the several separators arranged in alternation with the detectors. Fig. 5 is a similar view illustrating a modified form of separator, the detectors being shown in groups of two. Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the separators shown in Fig. 5. Fig.

7 is a front elevation showing yet another form of separator which may be employed in certain classes of work and arranged to alternate with the detectors, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the separators illustrated in Fig. 7.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown the harnesses H H as each provided with two blanks or series of detectors d 61, respectively, which serve also as heddles and made as thin flat metal strips each having a warp-eye 2 and a longitudinal slot 20 near its upper end, substantially as in United States Patent No. 594,355, dated November 23, 1897, the barnesses having each two parallel supports or bars, as a a, respectively, extended loosely through the slots 20 of the detectors. The harnesses are reciprocated vertically in usual manner to form the shed, and an upright transverse plate I) is extended between the lower ends of the front and rear banks of detectors, two oppositely-moving feelers ff, mounted on normally rocking shafts g g, cooperating with a released detector to effect stoppage of the loom automatically, all in well-known manner. When the detectors are arranged in double banks or series, as herein shown, it is usually unnecessary to provide separators for both banks, and I have shown only one bank of detectors of each harness so provided, though it is to be understood that each bank or series of detectors may be so provided, if desired.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, each detector-support is provided with means to limit or define the lateral movement as a whole of the series of detectors thereon, and for this purpose I have herein shown a spring metal clip or stop 0, sprung upon each support at each end of the series of detectors thereon. As best shown in Fig. 3, the clip or stop is made of spring sheet metal, bent over upon itself to leave depending parallel portions 0 0 which straddle the support, the longer portion a being intnrned at its under edge at c to spring underneath the support. The parts 0 c are sprung apart when pressed onto the support, and their resiliency causes them to tightly clasp the support and remain fixed thereupon unless positively moved in or out. A large portion of the distance between the-two stops is occupied by the detectors, and in order to provide for their proper retention from lateral swaying and maintain them in uprightposition I employ a number of separators, interspersing them among the detectors, preferably in alternation therewith, the vacant spaces between the limiting-stops being thereby substantially filled, so as to retain the detectors in proper Working condition, but without any binding or cramping action upon them. The detectors are thus left free to move longitudinally upon release, due to failure of a warp-thread,-

and to accommodate themselves to the yarn.

One of the most efficient forms of separator now known to me is shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, an enlarged perspective view thereof in cooperation with a detector being shown in Fig. 3. This form of separator is preferably made of thin sheet metal .9, of greater wid th than a detector and rounded or convexed at top and bottom, as at 5, with an elongated central slot 3' to loosely receive the support, the longitudinal edges of the separator being upturned to form flanges .9 and, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, these flanges are bent slightly toward each other. As many of these separators are employed as are necessary, preferably one for each detector, the latter being located between the flanges and free to move longitudinally between them and also having sufficient freedom of movement otherwise to accommodate itself to the yarn. The flanges of one separator thus are adjacent the back of the next separator, with the detector boxed or loosely inclosed between them, the flanges insuring a certain minimum distance between adjacent separators. The separators can thus be made verylight, while bulky, occupying a space much greater than the actual thickness of the thin metal of which they are made. As the detectors rise and fall the separators in no way interfere with maintained in their proper paths of move-v ment during the formation of the shed. It is found in actual practice that with the detectors so separated and guided they cannot interlock by the end of one detector passing through the slot of its neighbor, and thereby preventing the proper detecting function of either or both of such interlocked detectors, nor can a'number of detectors fall together sidewise and bunch up or interfere with each other. In this form'ot separator the slot 8 may be so shaped as to rather snugly fit the support a, so that the separators cannot turn thereon to any extent, but will be maintained with their bodies substantially at right angles to the support.

The separating of the detectors, as herein shown, also facilitates very materially the operation of drawing in the warps, as it is possible to shift or slide the detectors and the detectors d are maintained by the se arators onthe support a substantiallyopposite the spaces between the front harness-deby contact with a number of detectors.

modation to the yarn.

In Figs. 7 and 8 the separators are shown substantially as rather thick washerlike pieces of metal m, convened at their upper and lower ends and slotted longitudinally at m to receive the support a. Some suitable material having bulkiness combined with light weight and necessary stiffness can be employed, such as aluminium. The separators are alternated with the detectors, as before described, and theyoperate to maintain and guide the detectors in their proper paths of movement,while permitting proper accom- Unless separators of this particular form are of light weight compared with their bulk they will make'the harness unduly heavy and will not because of their weight accommodate themselves to the yarn or permit the detectors to so accommodate themselves. By rounding .the ends of the separators, as very clearly shown'in Figs. 3, 6, and 8, any possibility of their catch-- ing on the detectors is obviated.

For some classes of work it may not be necessary to individualize the detectors by alternate separators, and they may be divided into small groups by 'partlyinc-losi'ng separators, one form of which is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, wherein each separator consists of a thin flat body 11., having longitudinal edge flanges it; but the flanges are oppositely turned, though substantially parallel to each other, the body having a suitable slot n through which the support a is extended. As.

shown in Fig. 5, one flange of each separator nearly approaches or engages the bod y of the next separator at one side and the other flange cooperates in similar manner with the body of the next separator at the other side, the spacing being effected with a comparatively small number of separators, and in Fig.5 two detectorsare shown between each pair of separators.

Manifestly the form shown in Figs. 6 or 8 may be used in connection with the separator shown in Fig. 3, if desired, according to the necessities of the particular case. Whatever form of separator be employed, it is of course to be understood that it is not necessary to entirely fill by the separators and detectors the spaces between the end stops of a series of detectors, as substantially vertical movement of the detectors can beassured if the space is nearly filled. In no case must there be any such filling of the spaces as would tend to cramp or bind the detectors.

Having fully described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a loom, a series of warp-stop-molioncontrolling detectors, a support upon which they are loosely mounted, and relatively to which they have alimited longitudinal movement, and sheet-metal separators each having a slot through which the support passes, said separators grouping the detectors as desired and being freely movable laterally upon the support, the separators preventing swaying'and bunching of the detectors.

2. In a loom, a series of warp-stop-motioncontrolling detectors, a support upon which they are loosely mounted, stops on the support at each end of and to limit sidewise movement of the series of detectors as a whole, and separators mounted on and free to move laterally upon the support, the separators being interspersed among and to group the detectors as desired, thereby preventing lateral displacement of said detectors, and guiding them in substantially vertical paths of move ment. i 3. In a loom, a series of warp-stop-motioncontrolling detectors, a support upon which they are loosely mounted and relatively to which they are longitudinally movable, adjustable stops on the support at each end of the series of detectors, and separators slidably mounted on the support, to guide and direct the detectors in substantially vertical paths, the detectors and interspersed separators substantially filling the space between the stops and preventing lateral displacement or bunching together of the detectors.

4. In a loom, a series of warp-stop-motioncontrolling detectors, a support upon which they are loosely mounted, stops on the support at each end of the series of detectors, and separators mounted on the support and alternating with the detectors, to separate the latter from each other and substantially fill the space between the stops, to prevent lateral displacement or crowding of the detectors and guide them in substantially vertical paths of movement.

5. In a loom, a series of longitudinally-slotted warp-stop-motion-controlling detectors, also serving as heddles and having warp-eyes below the slots, a flat, smooth supporting-bar of less depth than the length of the slots and extended therethrough, means at the ends of and to limit lateral movement of the series ICC IIO

of detectors as a whole, and laterally-movable separators mounted on the support between said means, and interspersed among the detectors, to separate and group the latter as desired, and maintain them in paths of move ment substantially at right angles to the sup porting-bar.

6. In a loom, a series of warp-stop-rhotion length of the slots and extended therethrough,

stops on the bar at the ends of the series of detectors, to limit lateral movement thereof as a Whole, and thin, metallic separators hav-' ing slots to receive the bar, said separators being interspersed between the detectors to separate them from each other and maintain the detectors in paths of movement substantially at right angles to the supporting-bar.

8. In a loom, a series of Warp-stop-motioncontrolling detectors, serving also as heddles, a support upon which they are loosely mount.- ed, and separators mounted on the support and interspersed among the detector-heddles, each separator comprising a thin, fiat body substantially at right angles to the support, and an upturned flange on each longitudinal edge of the body, the flanges of the adjacent separators maintainingthem far enough apart to permit freedom of movement of interposed detector-heddles while guiding the latter and preventing movement thereof in improper paths. 9. In a loom, a series of warp-stop-motioncontrolling detectors serving also as heddles,

and being turned slightly inward.

10. A detector-separator for warp-stop-motion apparatus, having upturned flanges and a slot to enable it to be placed on the detector-support between adjacent detectors.

11. A detector-separator for Warp-stop-motion apparatus, having a thin, flat body slotted longitudinally to receive the detector-support, and upturned flanges on the longitudinal edges of the body, the flanges projecting from the same face of the body.

12. Inaloom,warp-stop-motion-controlling detectors, a support therefor having end stops mounted thereon, and a series of separators interspersed between the detectors and fill ing substantially the entire space between the end stops and so constructed as to leave the detectors free 'to move Without binding.

13. In a loom, aseries of separators alternating with warp-stop-motion-controlling detectors and capable of sliding freely lengthwise of their support, and a support for the separators and detectors.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JONAS NORTHROP. Witnesses:

GEORGE OTIS DRAPER, ERNEST W. WooD. 

